Patient leaflet - Steriflex NO 9 Ringers solution for injection BPC 1959
1. What Ringer’s Solution for Infusion is and what it is used for 2. What you need to know before you are given Ringer’s Solution
for Infusion
- 3. How you will be given Ringer’s Solution for Infusion
- 4. Possible side effects
- 5. How Ringer’s Solution for Infusion is stored
- 6. Contents of the pack and other information
- 1. WHAT RINGER’S SOLUTION FOR INFUSION IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR
Ringer’s Solution for Infusion is a clear solution of sodium chloride, potassium chloride and calcium chloride in water.
Ringer’s Solution for Infusion is given by intravenous infusion (into a vein) to patients suffering from water loss (dehydration) and low sodium or low potassium levels.
2. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU ARE GIVEN RINGER’S SOLUTION FOR INFUSION
You should not receive Ringer’s Solution for Infusion if you have: • a known allergy (hypersensitivity) to sodium chloride, potassium chloride,
calcium chloride dihydrate or any of the other ingredients of Ringer’s Solution for Infusion (listed in section 6)
- very high sodium or potassium levels
- kidney or heart disorders
too much fluid in the spaces around the cells of the body (hyperhydration) • uncompensated heart failure (heart failure that is not adequately treated
and causes symptoms such as shortness of breath and swelling of the ankles)
Your doctor will check for these.
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or nurse before being given Ringer’s Solution for Infusion if you have, or have had, any of the following medical conditions: • heart failure, heart disease or reduced heart function
- reduced kidney function
- high blood pressure (hypertension)
build-up of fluid in the tissues, particularly around the ankles
(peripheral oedema)
- build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary oedema)
high blood pressure during pregnancy (pre-eclampsia) • a disease that causes high levels of a hormone called aldosterone
(aldosteronism)
any other condition associated with sodium retention (when the body
retains too much sodium), such as treatment with steroids • a loss of water from the body (acute dehydration, e.g. from vomiting or
diarrhoeal
When you are given this infusion, your doctor or nurse will take blood and urine samples and monitor:
- the amount of fluid in your body
- your vital signs
- the amount of chemicals such as sodium, potassium, calcium and chlorides in your blood (plasma electrolytes)
Your doctor or nurse will ensure the solution is clear and free from particles before use.
Other medicines and Ringer’s Solution for Infusion
Tell your doctor or nurse if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
It is particularly important that you inform your doctor or nurse if you are taking any of the following medicines because they can cause the body to accumulate sodium and water, leading to tissue swelling (oedema) and high blood pressure (hypertension):
- digitalis preparations used to treat heart failure, as they must not be used with Ringer’s Solution for Infusion. The effects of these drugs can be increased by calcium. This can lead to life-threatening changes to the heart rhythm
- corticosteroids (anti-inflammatory medicines)
- carbenoxolone (an anti-inflammatory medicine used to treat stomach ulcers)
The following medicines can increase the concentration of potassium in the blood. This effect can be life-threatening. A rise in the blood potassium levels is more likely to occur if you have kidney disease.
- potassium-sparing diuretics (certain water tablets, e.g. amiloride, spironolactone, triamterenel. (Note that these medicines may be included in combination medicinal products)
- angiotensin converting enzyme (ACEl inhibitors (used to treat high blood pressure)
- angiotensin II receptor agonists (used to treat high blood pressure) • tacrolimus (used to prevent rejection of a transplant and to treat some skin diseases)
- cyclosporin (used to prevent rejection of a transplant) • suxamethonium
Other medicines that can affect or be affected by Ringer’s Solution for Infusion include:
thiazide diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide or
chlorthalidone
- vitamin D
Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this medicine.
Driving and using machines
Ringer’s Solution for Infusion has no effect on driving or using machines.
3. HOW YOU WILL BE GIVEN RINGER’S SOLUTION FOR INFUSION
Ringer’s Solution for Infusion will be given to you by a doctor or nurse. You will receive your medicine by infusion (an injection into a vein). Dosage
The amount and rate at which the infusion is given depends on your requirements. Your doctor will decide on the correct dose for you to receive.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you receive more Ringer’s Solution for Infusion than you should It is very unlikely that you will receive more solution than you should as this medicine will be given to you by a doctor or nurse and you will be closely monitored during treatment. If you are given too much Ringer’s Solution for Infusion or you are given your infusion too quickly, this may lead to the following symptoms:
water and/or sodium overload with build-up of liquid in the tissues
(oedema) causing swelling, swelling of the legs or ankles • pain that gets worse when you stand and subsides when you raise
your legs
- cramping, aching, throbbing, or a feeling of heaviness in your legs • itchy or weak legs
- thickening of the skin on your legs or ankles
- skin changing colour, especially around the ankles
- leg ulcers or varicose veins
- shortness of breath, rapid or irregular breathing
- dizziness
- fatigue or weakness
- headache
- neck pain or stiffness
- nausea or vomiting
- decreased appetite
- constipation
- stomach pain
- excessive thirst (polydipsia) or a dry mouth
- chalky taste in the mouth
producing more urine than normal (polyuria) or dark,
concentrated urine
kidney disease due to build-up of calcium in the kidneys
(nephrocalcinosis) or kidney stones
- vision loss or changes
- memory loss
- mental disturbances such as confusion, irritability or depression • difficulty speaking or inability to think normally
- seizures
- loss of consciousness
- inability to walk or inability to move (paralysis)
- an irregular heartbeat (cardiac arrhythmia)
cardiac arrest (the heart stops beating; if the infusion is given
too quickly)
acidification of the blood (acidosis) leading to tiredness, confusion,
lethargy and increased breathing rate
If you develop any of these symptoms you must inform your doctor immediately. Your infusion will be stopped and you will be given treatment depending on the symptoms.
4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Like all medicines, Ringer’s Solution for Infusion can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
If you have a side effect that is not mentioned in this leaflet or if any side effect gets serious, please tell your doctor or pharmacist
Possible side effects are listed below:
Very common: may affect more than 1 in 10 people • too much fluid in the spaces around the cells of the body
(hyperhydration) and
- heart failure in patients with cardiac disorder or pulmonary oedema
Not known: frequency cannot be estimated from the available data • oedema due to water/sodium overload
The following side effects have been reported if the solution is given too quickly:
- heart attack
- blood circulation problems
- thrombosis (the formation of a clot) may occur in the vein where the infusion is given.
Reactions due to the administration technique:
- fever
- infection at the site of the infusion
irritation and inflammation of the vein into which the solution is infused (phlebitis). This can cause redness, pain or burning and swelling along the path of the vein into which the solution is infused • escape of the infusion solution into the tissues around the vein
(extravasation). This can damage the tissues and cause scarring.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.
You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. HOW RINGER’S SOLUTION FOR INFUSION IS STORED
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Your doctor, pharmacist or nurse is responsible for the correct storage, use and disposal of Ringer’s Solution for Infusion.
Ringer’s solution should be stored below 25°C.
The solutions must not be used after the expiry date which is stated on the label.
Any solution remaining after treatment should be disposed of using the approved hospital procedures.
6. CONTENTS OF THE PACK AND OTHER INFORMATION
What Ringer’s Solution for Infusion contains
Ringer’s Solution for Infusion contains 0.86% sodium chloride, 0.03% potassium chloride and 0.033% calcium chloride dihydrate in water. The solution also contains small amounts of hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide.
What Ringer’s Solution for Infusion looks like and contents of the pack Ringer’s Solution is available as a clear liquid in a sealed semi rigid cylindrical neutral polyethylene container. It contains 500 ml.
Ringer’s Solution for Infusion is also available as a clear liquid in a flexible sealed plastic container known as Steriflex® bag or a Freeflex® bag. The solutions are available in 500 ml and 1000 ml volumes.
All pack sizes may not be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Fresenius Kabi Limited
Cestrian Court, Eastgate Way,
Manor Park, Runcorn,
Cheshire, WA7 1NT. UK.
Manufacturer
Terumo BCT Limited,
Old Belfast Road, Millbrook,
Larne, Co Antrim, BT40 2SH, UK.
For any information about this medicinal product, please contact the local representative of the Marketing Authorisation Holder:
Fresenius Kabi Limited
Cestrian Court, Eastgate Way,
Manor Park, Runcorn,
Cheshire, WA7 1NT
UK.
+44 (0) 1928 533 533
This leaflet was last revised in July 2025
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